1 of 1 copy available
With three novels and two short story collections published, Kevin Barry has steadily established his stature as one of the finest writers not just in Ireland but in the English language. All of his prodigious gifts of language, character, and setting in these eleven exquisite stories transport the reader to an Ireland both timeless and recognizably modern. Shot through with dark humor and the uncanny power of the primal and unchanging Irish landscape, the stories in That Old Country Music represent some of the finest fiction being written today.
-
Creators
-
Publisher
-
Release date
January 12, 2021 -
Formats
-
OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9780593339503
- File size: 110900 KB
- Duration: 03:51:02
-
-
Languages
- English
-
Reviews
-
In 11 dark and arresting short stories, author/narrator Kevin Barry reveals the apprehensions, disappointments, and longings of West Irish residents. Through Barry's exquisite prose and immersive performance, the harshness of everyday life, as well as moments of joy and pleasure, are compellingly presented. While Barry's natural timbre is gravelly and slightly menacing, he effectively softens it when narrating the female perspective in several stories. His nuanced and emotive tone brings forth the powerful sense of disquiet and dramatic tension that permeates this collection. His authentic Irish accent enhances the mood and atmosphere. Guided by his precise phrasing and propulsive pacing, listeners may feel compelled to hear more than one or two stories at a time. A satisfying collection, thoughtfully presented. M.J. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine -
October 5, 2020
Irish writer Barry follows Night Boat to Tangier with a rather mixed story collection. “The Coast of Leitrim” and “Deer Season” tread well-worn romantic territories, depicting doomed and all-too familiar relationships. “Who’s-Dead McCarthy,” about a morbid townie chatterbox, is entertaining, yet it ends with a punch line that falls flat. On the other hand, the title story, which follows a pregnant teen as she waits for her criminal fiancé to return from a robbery, pulses with electricity and emotion, despite its abrupt conclusion. “Toronto and the State of Grace” showcases the author’s gift for dialogue and wit, as a brash son and his elderly mother hold court in a sleepy pub, drinking their way through the pub’s liquor and showering the barkeep with stories. And “Roma Kid” transforms what initially seems to be a depressing runaway child story into a fairy tale of finding family and purpose. As always, Barry can’t write a bad sentence (“A light rain began to fall and it spoke more than anything else of the place through which she moved”), but the too-tepid stories don’t do justice to the author’s considerable talents. This won’t go down as one of Barry’s finer works. Agent: Lucy Luck, C&W.
-